Valtor followed closely behind, curiosity sharpening his every step while the professor moved with haste, as though fearful of being caught. They rode an elevator to the top floor, emerging onto a balcony that overlooked the city's skyline.
The professor stopped, his back turned, staring at the view of neighboring towers.
"Why bring me here?" Valtor finally asked, his voice steady but edged with suspicion.
The man turned, eyes grave. "We can't be seen together- not by the superintendent."
Valtor's gaze narrowed. "And why is that?"
"Because we're not supposed to meet. Not yet… not until his time."
Something in the words clawed at Valtor's mind. His eyes shut tightly as a fragment of memory-blurred and fleeting-flickered before vanishing. He opened them again to find the professor stepping closer.
"I know your memory of me was erased," the man said, halting a few feet away. "But seeing me may stir what they tried to bury. For now, I need your full attention… and I need you to trust what I'm about to say."
Valtor's piercing blue eyes locked on his.
"Valtor Steel," the man drew a breath, his voice wavering with restraint, "my name is Professor Malcolm Steel… and I'm your father."
......
Back in their quarters, the crew gathered in the boys' room.
Zara sat at the bedside, watching as Rowynn and Kymani vented out their frustrations. Lynx leaned against the wall, head bowed, while Orea sat opposite, her expression blank, her mind seemingly elsewhere.
"What the hell was that?!" Kymani's eruption forced Zara to speak up
"Can we all just calm down?" she cut in, drawing their attention. "Just… breathe for a second, okay?" Her gaze flicked between Kymani and Rowynn. "Obviously, we all hate this."
"Hate?" Rowynn snapped, her usual calm gone. "We were used!, Our memories erased and after getting abducted!"
"Exactly," Kymani growled. " though the Vatican president insists we came willingly."
"He's lying," Lynx muttered, finally lifting his head, "the contract's a fake, he added as his gaze shifted to Orea, "You know I'm right."
Orea met his stare, then looked back at the others. Her voice was quiet, but heavy with certainty. "Maybe they told the truth about where we were taken… and why, but not 'how'. In my vision, I was dragged away against my will. And I believe the same happened to all of you."
A heavy silence settled over the room. No one moved. The weight of her words pressed down on them all as they pondered what to do next.
Combat training," Kymani scoffed. "I can't believe they're actually forcing us into this plan of theirs."
Orea suddenly pushed to her feet. "I'll be right back," she said, already heading for the door.
"Where are you going?" Zara called after her.
"To find Valtor." Orea's tone was firm, almost urgent. She paused as she glanced back. "Maybe you didn't notice… but he's been missing since we left the hall."
A flicker of realization passed through the room as the others exchanged uneasy looks.
As they conversed at the rooftop, Professor Malcolm's voice remained steady, almost rehearsed. "I am the head scientist behind Nexis's nuclear weaponry… and the founder of Steel Mechatronics- the largest tech corporation in the world." He drew in a breath before his eyes fixed on Valtor. "And you, Valtor Aryan Steel, are my first and only child."
"Stop!" Valtor's cry tore through the air. He stumbled back until his shoulders struck the wall, his chest tightening as though the weight of the words had crushed the air from his lungs, while his memory blurred into focus.
Professor Malcolm rushed to his side as Valtor hung his head low, steadying him back up.
"Are you okay, son?" His words faltered as Valtor lifted his head, tears streaming down his face.
Malcolm held onto him, his own breath unsteady, emotion swelling in his chest.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I know this is all too much for you."
"It's been tugging at me," Valtor said in a low, trembling tone. "Your face… ever since I bumped into you, I knew there was something more than just familiarity."
A faint, broken smile crossed his lips. "I… I remember you."
A single tear slid down Malcolm's cheek at those words.
"Dad," Valtor choked out.
Malcolm pulled him closer, enveloping his son in a tight embrace as Valtor sank into it, both of them trembling against each other.
I've really missed you," the professor whispered, his hand gently combing through Valtor's hair. Valtor closed his eyes, sinking into the rare serenity of the moment.